Ki Tavo

Happy Happy, Joy Joy 

1. In this week’s parshah Moshe rebukes the Jewish people and warns them that in the future they will be punished for their misdeeds . One reason given for being punished is given in verse 28:47
 
“Because you did not serve the Lord, your God, with happiness and with gladness of heart, when [you had an] abundance of everything.”
 
2. I can understand why G-D would be upset with the Jews not listening to him, but why does G-D specifically mention that it was not with “happiness and gladness of heart”? What is so essential about joy to the observance of the commandments during times of prosperity?
 
3.  When the Jews are happy when they are supposed to be sad G-D is upset. G-D is more upset when the Jews are sad when they are supposed to be happy. An example of this is the first Tisha Bav. When the Jews were in the desert they sent spies to scout out the land of Israel. The spies returned with a negative report and the Jews cried about entering the land of Israel. They were receiving an amazing gift, but instead cried about it. Because of these actions the entire generation could not enter the land and G-D told the Jews that because they cried on that night for no reason, he will give them a reason to cry.  This story happened on the ninth of Av.
 
3. Joy is a fundamental aspect of Hakarat Hatov (gratitude for the good bestowed upon you). That is why G-D requires it. When we serve G-D with joy during times of prosperity it highlights the fact that we appreciate what G-D has provided for us.  Joy is the highest level of gratitude .
 
4. I was at a wedding once and I took a break from the dancing to sit down and drink some water. I noticed at the table a young girl probably around 6 or 7 with leg braces. I moved next to her and asked her if she was having fun, she replied yes with a smile. Then she asked me a question I will never forget. She pointed at a couple who were also sitting at the table and asked, why aren’t they dancing? I almost started crying.
 
That is what G-D is asking the Jews of our generation. You have everything, why aren’t you happy, why aren’t you dancing?